Artist Manuel Palacio has never shied away from controversy — his latest works tackle homophobia and racial fears as a means of understanding why some people feel uncomfortable.He believes that it is an artist’s job in society to shake things up and make the community discuss issues they would normally rather dodge. He doesn’t mind if the discussion is calm, heated or otherwise, as long as there is dialogue.In the Select Palette Art (SPART) exhibition Body in Motion, he entered pieces that depicted men dancing together; in the Bermuda National Gallery Biennial 2012, his piece was compromised solely of a racial slur in large letters.He’s now calling for the Government to give companies tax breaks and incentives for supporting art. The resulting financial support from the business community would allow more artists to focus on making art that stirs rather than art that sells, he believes.“Art is a powerful way of enhancing and benefiting whatever we are doing in the community,” he said. “In regards to art we are not using it at all [in Bermuda]. Most art programmes in Bermuda are subsidised by the artists themselves. Charities are striving to keep art programmes going. Those are charities that are working hard to make sure we have an art presence but they are mainly sponsored by the artists. We are not addressing things that matter in society, such as racism and homophobia. Instead, we are trying to find little things to sell because the economy is so bad and we are competing with each other.”He said Government support for corporations that support art would mean better museums, art galleries and public art for the Island.“Of course, you can’t ask corporations to do it for free,” he said. “They already do so much for this Island.”He was disparaging of the public art that we have in Bermuda, saying that some of it was a political means to reinforce racial fears and stereotypes.Mr Palacio believed that a stronger art community would be a draw not just for tourists, but also for international companies that were looking to set up in vibrant cities and countries and this would lead to better employment, society and government.“It goes to the fact that as an artist in this community I feel appreciated, but I am not sustainable,” he said. “I cannot make a living here as an artist. I work as an art teacher, and I see that most of my students are unable to make a living as artists. It’s okay if you sell a piece here and there, but we are using art for the wrong reasons. Art is part of what a society is. Art touches all aspects of human life. Art galleries bring people of different backgrounds together in a neutral space.”You can see some of Mr Palacio’s work, along with that of artists Edwin Smith, Kendra Earls, Susan Pearson and Cathyann Hansey, at the Body in Motion exhibit at the Common Ground Cafe on Chancery Lane in Hamilton, Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 3.30pm and 9am to 2pm on Saturdays.To contact him, e-mail palacio37@hotmail.com